1st Preview of Annie. Twitter: @MegLouch_x

Well INTERDISCIPLINARY couldn't have been more apparent this evening. Pulling off this opening show required TEAMWORK and COMMUNICATION across all departments in abundance. I received lovely messages from friends,and flowers came from my mum. It definitely made the evening more exciting than scary and made me appreciate the RELATIONSHIPS I have outside of work as well as in. Our director came to visit each dressing room before the performance and did a speech stressing the importance of safety and focus. I feel incredibly lucky to have worked with a LEADER who is so supportive and encouraging in what can be a very nervous and stressful environment. 

Receiving a standing ovation on the first preview was an incredible reward for all the hard work. I discovered that AUDIENCE REACTION is the biggest indicator of our collective, creative success and is actually the whole reason behind a theatre production - "it's for them", "that's what it's all about" (Director). Seeing over 1000 people stood on their feet, applauding and cheering was a fantastic feeling.

Social media was booming, especially as we have the incredibly talented and lovely Miranda Hart appearing in the show and the legendary Danny Devito was in watching. Audience members were sharing their excitement beforehand as well as their reviews of the experience afterwards. They connected with us by linking the production and the theatre in their tweets. The production staff were also using it to communicate it with the theatre staff and vice versa. I've become much more aware and active online as a result of this course but 'twitter' is still the form I use least. My SIGS have made me realise how important this form is for NETWORKING and SOCIAL CURRENCY in our industry. My task this year is to focus on Twitter. After this first show, by tweeting myself, sharing and liking others' tweets, I have already been followed by one of the most inspiring choreographers to me and one of my favourite casting directors. 

#teamginge #AnnieWestEnd

Follow me on twitter: @MegLouch_x 

BAPP Oral presentation

Well we did it! Just wanted to say a massive well done to everybody and an even bigger thank you to our tutors, SIGS, peers, colleagues, friends and family - this for helping, supporting and participating!

I thought I'd try and share my presentation with you some how so here goes....feel free to post any feedback or questions you may have!

https://youtu.be/Oxq8ScL3snE

Last but not least.....GOOD LUCK and hope to see everyone at graduation day!

(https://goo.gl/images/q9sPdW)

For my fellow BAPP students, we're so close.......

ARTEFACT......... ✔

CRITICAL REVIEW.......... ✔

Just the ORAL PRESENTATION to go...... COME ON, WE CAN DO IT!!!

Coffee shop Skype: May

Participants:

Adesola - tutor 

Amanda - module 1

Victoria - module 3

Lois  - module 3

Me  - module 3

Talking Points:

• Critical Review and Critical Reflection feedback
• Oral presentations
• Communication 

Feedback: structure, jumping around, repetition, waffling, clarity

It was interesting to hear how we all had similar feedback, I asked particular advice on the comments below.....

Advice on appendices:

• Structure the layout like a magazine for consistency
• Label images as figures and put "see fig. 1" in text
• Images or documents that relate to one another label as, "B:1, B:2, B:3" 

Advice on citation:

• Call the library
• Cite me right - http://www.citethisforme.com/harvard-cite-them-right

What is the oral presentation? (Amanda)

Summary, sharing, explanation, celebration, presentation, collaboration, insight, understanding, engagement

What stood out as being a good presentation as opposed to

a weak one?

Structured

Flowed

Thought out

Thorough

Included artefact

Keeping to time

(Victoria)

*DON'T ASSUME PEOPLE KNOW YOU'RE INQUIRY*

It was suggested during the Skype that we watch a presentation on something completely irrelevant to the course or on an entirely different subject, to see what captures us and takes our interest - I thought this was a fantastic idea and is something I will be doing!

Communication 

Module 1 - isolated - stopped blogging during assessment stages, lonely

Module 3 - community - blogged & used social media more, support network

Victoria continued this theme by asking about her inquiry topic (vulnerability in acting) and means for supporting that in the professional world. I said how support networks had become integral to my inquiry, particularly in regards to 'companies' and 'affiliation' in the work place. 

It is interesting to acknowledge how personal relationships can affect the professional. The more comfortable and confident you feel around the people in your practice and the working environment, the more supported you will feel. I believe that leadership as well as relationships within the company is responsible for creating an encouraging space. The director on my first day in our current production said that the rehearsal room is a place we could "fall flat on our face and get back up again." A place we could get "egg thrown on our face." He also said: "there are no stupid questions, just stupid people afraid to ask questions." It made us feel like we could put ourselves out there and be supported in the process. 

I also flagged up vulnerability in regards to actual individuals and ethics. I am currently working with under 16's, well known people and animals. This requires much more consideration and added ground rules from the company manager. Particularly in regards to the relationships we form, language in the work place and social media. 

In regards to my own inquiry I.e. How Interdisciplinary Skills impact on relationships, I asked: 

What quality do you value most in a colleague or someone that you work with?

Honesty, teamwork, work ethic, reliability, self sufficiency

A quote that will stick with me from this session:

"We are all linked by our creativity" (Amanda)

Preparing for Oral Presentations

Oral presentation: 10 minute power point presentation followed by 10 minutes Q&A

The oral presentation is.......

"a brief explanatory device that will be useful to you in the workplace" (Module 3 handbook)

"a celebration of what you have achieved" (Reader 7)

Things to include:

• The major findings from your research 
• An introduction, evaluation of the inquiry tools, your main findings and the critical reflection of the whole process
• Excerpts from the Critical Review and Artefact
• Explanations of the outcomes and benefits from the inquiry

Some general advice: 

• Rehearse what you want to say
  
• Review examples and try yours out with your SIG
  
• Don’t overload slides with text 
  
• 1 minute per slide
  
  

I found Emma Corboz BAPP Presentation on YouTube which I found useful to watch: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhAGtK-2N9k

There are also some links and advice up on Paula's blog:

https://paulanottingham.blogspot.co.uk/2017/01/oral-presentations-reviewing-and-advice.html

Journalling: Film Screening

Friday 21st April 

I decided to do a group screening of my artefact as it stood in the female dressing room after warm up - as well as opening it up on the work WhatsApp to any other colleagues interested in watching it. I then effectively held a 'focus group' style discussion where my colleagues provided feedback and I asked questions regarding any personal concerns. Particular concerns for me were: the length of the film, the clarity of my inquiry message and the structure. 

"It was really interesting. You really drove the theme home" 

"The quotes after the group dance were a bit fast, I struggled to read it" 

"I didn't feel like anything stuck out as being in the wrong order"

"The editing was seamless" 

"It went really quickly because you're interested in it and are involved in the project"

The word "nostalgic" was mentioned a few times. One particular colleague told me about some of his family members who were 92 & 88 years old and came to watch the show Thursday. He was nervous about what they would think with the sexy dancing, limited clothing and loud music but they absolutely loved it. The show gave them happy memories from the 50's and 60's, they were watching from a different perspective to other generations. It made me realise how every single moment in the show is equally as important and how it is our responsibility to connect with and consider every single audience member.  

I decided to shorten the group activity footage and incorporate knowledge gained from the 'sound' and 'light' departments after other feedback received. Unfortunately the video journals I had for these departments weren't of great quality because they were too loud or too dark so I decided to make collages of photographs I'd captured and bullet point key points. 

Showing everyone my artefact was a really special moment because I could see the smiles on their faces and hear the giggling. I was nervous and quite apologetic before hand because it is my work and everyone knows what i have been up to - it's something I've spent a lot of time on it and is personal to me. Therefore I am exposing myself to my colleagues on an academic level as well as professionally on a day day basis. It was so nice to receive a round of applause and congratulations afterwards!

The screening was a lovely thing to do just before I finished because I felt like I was leaving a little bit of a legacy behind me through the project, and giving the people who are
staying on some inspiration and motivation. It is natural to feel complacent and moan about things the more you do it.

"I needed that, it makes you realise you're in a great job" 

It was also a great way of engaging in the collaborative cycle I am aiming for. Continuing this idea of interdisciplinary practice by sharing ideas and feeding back, in order to enhance team work and collective intelligence/success.

I am intrigued to see how my findings compare from my previous company to the one on my new job - particularly because there is a mix of people who did it before and of those who didn't. After applying some of the knowledge and skills I've learnt, I'd be interested to see how the perceptions people have of me change or develop.

First day at school!

Well the news is out - cast announced for the West End production of Annie starring Miranda Hart.

http://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/full-casting-annie-miranda-hart-west-end_43424.html

Ive been working super hard over the past few weeks on my draft and artefact because of my anticipated change  in practice. I knew I would be working long days with long commutes, as well as having a complete change of environment. Seen I was using my previous practice as a case study, it was even more important for me to leave having my university work as complete as possible. Time management and organisation has therefore been of upmost importance during my inquiry. 

Although difficult, I am intrigued to compare findings within my previous company to my current and apply the knowledge and skills gained. The 'first day at school' never gets any easier but I can certainly alter my approach. Overall I've had a great first day and am looking forward to diving in head first throughout this process.

It was awesome seeing posters on the tube during my morning commute. Come see us at the Piccadilly from the end of May!